India's 1998 Pokhran II Nuclear Tests Involved Extensive Military Planning

In May 1998, India conducted underground nuclear tests at the Pokhran Test Range, known as Operation Shakti or Pokhran II. The operation involved extensive military planning, including site preparation, device assembly, and security measures to avoid detection by foreign surveillance. Lessons from a previously aborted 1990s test due to detection influenced the emphasis on secrecy and operational discipline. The Indian Army played a crucial role in enabling scientists to carry out the tests securely and efficiently under challenging conditions.